Dictatorships and Revolutions

Perhaps the most dangerous law in Sharia that stands in the way of democracy is the one that states that “A Muslim head of State can hold office through seizure of power, meaning through force.” That law is the reason every Muslim leader must turn into a despotic tyrant to survive, literally. When a Muslim leader is removed from office by force, we often see the Islamic media and masses accept it and even cheer for the new leader who has just ousted or killed the former leader, who is often called a traitor to the Islamic cause. Sadat’s assassination followed many fatwas of death against him for having violated his Islamic obligations to make Israel an eternal enemy. He became an apostate in the eyes of the hard-liners and had to be killed or removed from office. This probably sounds incredible to the Western mind, but this is the reality of what Sharia has done and is still doing to the political chaos in the Muslim world.

Westerners often described the Mubarak administration as secular when in reality it is not. It is true that Mubarak comes from a military background and neither he nor his wife wear Islamic clothes. But no Muslim leader can get away with or even survive one day in office if he is secular in the true sense of the word. It was during Mubarak’s rule in 1991 that Egypt signed the Cairo Declaration for Human Rights stating that Sharia supersedes any other law. So even though Sharia is not 100% applied in Egypt, it is officially the law of the land. Mubarak, like all Muslim leaders, must appease the Islamists to avoid their wrath. According to Sharia itself, a Muslim head of state must rule by Islamic law and preserve Islam in its original form or he must be removed from office. That law leaves no choice for any Muslim leader. Because of that law Muslim leaders must play a game of appearing Islamic and anti-West while trying to get along with the rest of the world. It’s a game with life and death consequences.

The choice in Egypt is not between good and bad, it is between bad and worse. Many in the Muslim world lack the understanding of what is hindering them as well as a lack of a moral and legal foundation for forming a stable democratic political system. I fear that my brothers and sisters in Egypt will end up embracing extremism instead of true democracy and thus will continue to rise and fall, stumble from one revolution to another and living under one tyrant to another looking for the ideal Islamic state that never was. The 1400 year-old Islamic history of tyranny will continue unless Sharia is rejected as the basis of the legal or political systems in Muslim countries. Sharia must be rejected if Egyptians want true democracy and freedom.

Nonie Darwish is the author “Cruel and usual Punishment” and the President of FormerMuslimsUnited.org.

They will embrace another tyranny. Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Iran, et al, will probably join and launch another war against Israel. With God's help, Israel will drive the invaders back, keep the land Israel subdues, and tell the UN to take a long walk on a short pier. No more land concessions to those who continually launch wars against each other and Israel.

Besides, most Israeli Arabs do not want to live under Fatah nor Hamas. They prefer Israeli rule. Over time, if this prediction is correct, most Muslims living in land ruled by Jews will prefer Jewish secular law to Sharia Law. If they don't like it, they can leave to another Islamic state.

Shermann

Zionism and God don't go together. Watch out how you use the name of God! You're a racist. Don't cry like you are innocent.

collins

I remember arguing years ago that Egypt only had about 6% of people who approved of the USA. My point was we should not shovel billions of dollars into Egypt, since this was an unstable situation. I was told that all we needed was that 6%.
Nonie says that Islam and Sharia are the problem, And she should know. You cannot expect Egypt to improve its situation until the Egyptians escape what Hirsi Ali calls the "mental cage."
Here is what J.S. Mill said in 1859:
"Despotism is a legitimate mode of government in dealing with barbarians,
provided the end be their improvement, and the means justified by actually
effecting that end. Liberty…has no application to any state of things
anterior to the time when mankind have become capable of being improved by
free and equal discussion. Until then, there is nothing for them but
implicit obedience to an Akbar or a Charlemagne, if they are so fortunate
as to find one."

ON LIBERTY (1859)

davarino

I agree with you collins. Before the war with Iraq I read Natan Sharansky's book "The Case for Democracy" and was convinced that all Nations needed was democracy and everything would work itself out, even in Iraq. Collins quote of J.S. Mill seems the better proscription now. I fear for Iraq and the monster we will release when we leave. I shudder to say it, but Iraq may have been better off with Sadam. Now Iran is going to control Egypt, sooner or later Iraq, Afganistan……the rest of the middle east.

Isnt it funny how the president is supporting the uprising in Egypt, but was silent during the Iran uprising. I think Iran may actually be the only middle eastern nation with people that "get it". After having gone through hell on earth they may be ready for democracy instead of sharia.

Raymond in DC

Sharansky was wise enough to recognize that democracy is more than "free elections", that it involves creation of a cultural foundation, institutions, etc. Bush and Rice were not so wise, which is how we ended up with a freely elected Hamas in the PA – and no democracy.

I agree with you about Iran, but not because they've "gone through hell on earth" with their failed revolution (though they have). Iran is, after all, one of the only countries in the region with a real culture and history that precedes Islam. Despite its authoritarian rule, it was under the Shah that universities expanded, land reform and woman's rights were advanced, and minorities – Jews and Bahais in particular – were allowed to flourish. Outside Israel, Iran was the only country in the region where people gathered to mourn in solidarity with the US after 9/11 in any numbers.

Comparing the people of Iran to those in Egypt, the former are less inclined toward sharia, less likely to blame the US or "the Jews" for their problems, and more open to ties with Israel. That's what makes talk of a "secret alliance" of Israel and the backward, Jew-hating states of the Gulf against Iran's nuclear project so ironic. For one can easily imagine open ties between Israel and Iran after the Islamists are kicked out; not so with Saudi Arabia.

muchiboy

"how we ended up with a freely elected Hamas in the PA – and no democracy. "

Israel, together with it's ill advised Western supporters,has to bear not a small amount of the blame for an elected Hamas,aka Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood.When the Jews stole the Palestinian homeland and denied Palestinian children their birthright and left them to live in misery and humiliation,the die was cast.Now Israel whines when the pigeon comes home to roost.You will wail once the worm turns.muchiboy

Stuart (Austin, TX)

As usual, the argument goes that Israel is to blame . . . simply for existing, right? Be honest and admit that is what you are ultimately after. Until then, zip it.

MixMChess

Muchiboy AKA Ronald Grant is a racist Corrections Officer from Hamilton/Ontario. He uses any excuse to call for the destruction of Israel and worldwide Jewry. Not surprising considering he served in the death squads of the Racist Rhodesian army no doubt torturing and killing many innocents.

PAthena

Muchiboy knows nothing about "Palestinians." The Roman Emperor Hadrian, in 135 A.C, after defeating the last Jewish rebellion under Bar Kochba, changed the name of Judea to "Palestina" in order to forever eradicate all memory of Judea and the Jews – he even outlawed Judaism. Since that time, the name "Palestine" was synonymous with "land of the Jews" or "the Holy Land" (Jesus was a Jew), and "Palestinian" synonymous with "Jew." That is why the Zionists wanted the Palestine Mandate and that Britain was awarded the Palestine Mandate after World War I to be "homeland for the Jews."
In 1964, Gamal Nasser and the Soviet Union invented the "Palestine Liberation Organization" with all the propaganda that Arabs were "Palestinians," ancient inhabitants of the land of the Jews. The Jews did not steal the "Palestinian homeland," as he says. Israel, including Judea and Samaria, is the ancient homeland of the Jews.

MixMChess

"Israel, together with it's ill advised Western supporters,has to bear not a small amount of the blame for an elected Hamas,aka Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood."

Israel had nothing to do with Hamas being elected. Recall, Hamas grew out of the ideology and practice of the Islamic fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood movement that arose in Egypt in the 1920s. Had the U.S. not pressured the P.A. to have "elections" Hamas would have never swept to power.

"When the Jews stole the Palestinian homeland and denied Palestinian children their birthright and left them to live in misery and humiliation,the die was cast."

You're lying again Ronald Grant. Palestinians have no birth right to the land, but the Jews do based on a clear archeological and historical record. Besides, Jews cannot steal their own vacant and tenant-free land which they LEGALLY purchased from Arab interloping imperialists.

GKC

"…when the pigeon comes home to roost.You will wail once the worm turns.muchiboy"

I'd modify that metaphor, too. Wouldn't want anyone to make an association with Jeremiah Wright, would we?

Fred Dawes

when not if egypt becomes part of the old ideals of insane muslim world the jew will be attacked from all side's and at that point the USA Will have to get out of the middle east for many reasons.WE Will see no mercy at the hands of our enemies, the arabs here inside the USA Will start real jihad in all our cities and towns and mass death of all the so called unbelievers will be a normal day to day evil and total jubjugation will be the sad end to all of the jewish state it will fall and most jews will be KILLED OFF.
"The USA Is doomed under people like Obama".

muchiboy

Rather arrogant at first read,I thought,but this lady was brought up and suffered through in this milieu,so I need respect her opinion,even though I don't like it.I am always suspicious of those who change core beliefs,especially religious beliefs.Perhaps like ex-smokers,they are the harshest critics.
I have to believe that while Islam,not unlike other religious beliefs,may be problematic,the larger problem lies within our human soul.All religions,including Judaism,have their Fundamentalists,who make life difficult for the rest of us despite being a small minority.I agree the Islamic world must embrace Modernity,like yesterday, but that there is wisdom and common sense enough in this world wide community to achieve this needed change and adaptation.Perhaps it will require the support and understanding of the Western Liberal Democracies here,but it will require our patience,understanding and above all,tolerance. muchiboy

MsJuJuB

Tolerance is the refuge of a man without conviction. To correct an ongoing political confabulation to justify anti-Semetism, there is no such person as a "Palestinian". This is a lie begun by British rule followed by Arrafat's injection of a claim to the land of Judea in the 1960's. What started as a Roman emperor's mistake (Palestine instead of Philistinia, named after the mortal enemies of the Jews) continues to be used today as a club to beat Jews into submission. Name a Palestinian king, or capital city, currency…. They never existed.

muchiboy

"there is no such person as a "Palestinian"

This is a cowards attempt at genocide,MsJuJuB(I like the red ones).Denying that a people even exist so your people can claim their homeland.If not purposeful and conniving,it demonstrates a serious and fatal flaw in thinking.muchiboy

MixMChess

Wrong as usual Naziboy Ronald Grant. The Palestinians (Fakestinians) are a FABRICATED people. No more real than the Hobbits, Vulcans or the Na'vi.

There was NO stable or indigenous population in the Holy Land unified by a common culture OTHER than the Jews. Throughout the Holy Land's history, foreign empires had overrun it and left their mark and their people on the land.

In fact, during the 18th and 19th centuries the Holy Land was essentially repopulated by foreigners: "Egyptians arrived in a number of waves, with an especially large one from 1832 to 1840. Sudanese pioneered successfully in the swampy marshlands. Entire tribes of Bedouin from as far away as Libya settled on the coastal plane. Lebanese Christians and Algerians settled in the Galilee. Coastal towns attracted Armenians, Syrians, Turks. Russians, Circassians and Georgians from the Caucaus founded villages. The Austrian advance into the Balkans led to the emigration of Bosnian Muslims to the region. Turkomans from Russian Central Asia and Kurds also arrived in the region during this time." Of course, the only indigenous culture that survived was that of the Jews, who pray and speak in the native language of the land, Hebrew.

Spirit_Of_1683

Naziboy wishes there was no such person as a Jew and no such country as Israel. His fantasy is to see Jews wiped off the face of the planet, indeed eradicated from the Universe, and Israel eliminated as a state. If Israel and the Jews existed on Mars instead of Earth, he'd still seek their destruction, because that is the warped antisemite he is.

BLJ

Two words: Muslim Brotherhood.

Spirit_Of_1683

Its time Naziboy was kicked out to Egypt or Iran. At least he'll be alongside likeminded monsters who hate Jews and Israelis.

Shermann

Like minded monsters who hate Zionists, Isaelis or not. Don't count yourself among Jews if you're a Zionist.

MixMChess

Don't count yourself among the human race if you hate Zionists.

muchiboy

"simply for existing, right? Be honest and admit that is what you are ultimately after. Until then, zip it. "

Stuart (Austin, TX) ,not simply for existing,but existing at the expense of a more vulnerable people.When hundreds of thousands of Europeans sailed for America,Africa,India,etc. to settle in foreign lands,we called it occupation and "colonization".When hundreds of thousands of European Jews sailed for Palestine to settle,I call it what it is,occupation and colonization.Are there differences,sure.Always are.Palestine was once the homeland of Jews,2,000 years ago.And Jews have lived in Palestine along side Arabs for thousands of years,too.And Palestine was an Arab homeland,too.And Jews,by hook or by crook,cleared the Palestinian homeland of most Arabs,replacing them with Jews,Polish,Russian,French,American,Ethiopian,etc.,denying Palestinian children their rightful birthright,thereby guilty of that most heinous crime against humanity and the Palestinians,ethnic cleansing.
And the other side of "zipping it",is facing it.muchiboy

LessiBoy

Does Muchiboy live in the U.S. – a country stolen from the Indians? If so, he should go back to Europe or wherever his ancestors came from.
What I gather really happened with Israel is that there were some Jews who kept trying to live there through the ages despite special taxes for dhimmis etc., then there was a big wave of immigration in the late 1800's, a time when there really weren't many Moslems in Palestine, and then various waves since, including Jews fleeing the Nazis. What I also gather is that many Moslems did not want Jews in the country (remember the Hebron massacre of 1929 and other events?). There was also much Arab immigration since the late 1800s, When the Jews declared a state, Moslem armies from all directions invaded, and told their Moslem brethren to get out of the way. Maybe after the war the Jews should have welcomed the Moslems back to their original homes, including Moslems from areas that they specifically chased out for strategic reasons. On the other hand, maybe the entire United states should be returned to the Apache, the Navajo, the Pequots, the Cherokee, etc.

lessiboy

Also, 20% or more of Israel is Moslem, the population has increased since the Jews declared a state. Doesn't sound like ethnic cleansing to me. On the other hand, there is a reason there are no Jews in Saudia Arabia, a country that had Jewish cities like Medina (in Hebrew, the name means 'nation'). There was "ethnic cleansing". In fact, if you go to Moslem countries, you see that the minorities disappear. Take India vs Pakistan. India, a majority Hindu nation, has 150 million Moslems. Pakistan, its bitter enemy, has almost no Hindus left. And remember, all those Moslems in that area were originally Hindu. Who exactly is doing the ethnic cleansing, MuchiboY?

muchiboy

"Doesn't sound like ethnic cleansing to me."

That doesn't surprise me,lessiboy.It's called denial.Not unlike Holocaust denial.It serves a similar purpose.

"Who exactly is doing the ethnic cleansing, MuchiboY?"

Muslims and Hindus in the first instance.Zionists in the second.You are in good company,lessiboy.An instance of Jews making a significant contribution to the heinous use of ethnic cleansing and man's inhumanity to man.muchiboy

MixMChess

lessiboy, Ronald Grant AKA muchiboy is not interested in responding to cold hard facts. Whenever someone proves him wrong he ignores their comment and makes a new one with the same attack (essentially a fishing expedition). He won't respond to you, rather he will just repeat the same rhetoric ad nauseum no matter how many times you refute his nonsense and lies. He is more interested in flooding these boards with his anti-semetic comments and anti-Israel rhetoric than engaging in true intellectual debate.

MixMChess

"Stuart (Austin, TX) ,not simply for existing,but existing at the expense of a more vulnerable people."

You are LYING again muchiboy (AKA Ronald Grant). The founding of Israel was not at the expense of any people, let alone the Palestinians. First of all, exiled Jews had been returning to the Holy Land for nearly two millennia. The Jews returning in the 19th and 20th centuries were merely part of this age-old pattern.

Recall, the lands that the Jews settled were largely vacant and unpopulated. The British consul James Finn noted in 1857 that "the country is in a considerable degree empty of inhabitants and therefore its greatest need is that of a body of population." In June of 1921 the League of Nations reported that: "The country was…and is now, underdeveloped and under-populated. The methods of agriculture are, for the most part, primitive; the area of land now cultivated could yield a far greater product. There are…large cultivable areas that are left untilled. The summits and slopes of the hills are admirably suited to the growth of trees, but there are no forests. Miles of sand dunes that could be redeemed, are untouched." Even New istorian Benny Morrison admits that "In the 1920's most purchases were of large, relatively empty, mostly uncultivated tracts from absentee effendis (landlords)…." Yes, you read that right the land was legally bought from willing Arab landowners, often for exorbitant prices.

MixMChess

"And Palestine was an Arab homeland,too."

No it wasn't, you're making up lies to justify your antisemitism and hatred of Israel. Jerusalem and most of the "Holy Land" was always considered a backwater by the Ottomans and other Arab/Islamic rulers. See my previous comments, there was never an indigenous "Arab" or "Palestinian" population in the region. The only indigenous culture was the Jews. In fact, the few Arab settlements that existed from the Arab/Islamic imperialism were largely abandoned by the 19th century. Jeeze, try picking up a flipping book!

SemperCivis

Islam exists to enslave its followers and to kill the infidel. Any surprise here? I hope Jews come together and remember their history so they can unite against a common foe. This historic interview on Israel National Radio sheds light on Pre-Abrahamic history and exposes Islam for the reconstituted Baal worship that it is — under the guise of a pseudo-monotheistic "religion" http://www.marcrubin.com/judean-eve.ivnu

and watch Americans take back their country and throw the criminals in jail in this LOL animated satire with the "head-up-the-butt" people — which applies to any Eqyptian who supports the MB too. http://www.marcrubin.com/hairmerica.ivnu

muchiboy

"Does Muchiboy live in the U.S. – a country stolen from the Indians? If so, he should go back to Europe or wherever his ancestors came from. "

Israel is perhaps unique among occupiers and colonizers in the systemic ethnic cleansing,then and now,of the majority indigenous settlers,the Palestinian people.While Europeans occupied and colonized America,Africa and Asia,including India,they did not carry out a policy of ethnic cleansing leading to their majority.While crimes against humanity were clearly committed against the occupied majority settlers of these colonized lands,they were never driven from national borders and have always remained Canadian,American,Kenyan,Rhodesian,South African,etc.Only Israel,the Zionist state occupied by the Jews,can claim a majority through ethnic cleansing.Stick that in your Zionist pipe,Guest.muchiboy

MixMChess

"Israel is perhaps unique among occupiers and colonizers in the systemic ethnic cleansing,then and now,of the majority indigenous settlers,the Palestinian people."

Read my previous post, the only indigenous settlers of the Holy Land were Jews. The so-called Palestinians are made up of foreign interlopers/colonizers from the surrounding Arab countries.

And Israel never ethnically cleansed any of the Palestinians. At Israel's founding in 1948 it begged the Arabs to become equal citizens and urged Arabs not to leave their homes and stay to become equal citizens in Israel. Of course, the vast majority of the Arabs left anyways, and they did so willingly in order to allow the surrounding Arab armies destroy the Jewish states and commit genocide of the Jews in the region.

Just look at the most recent history for proof that the Palestinians are in no way being ethnically cleansed. Their population has increased EXPONENTIALLY under Israeli rule, over 80% from 1994-2003 alone!

I challenge you to prove me wrong douchiboy.

muchiboy

"I'd modify that metaphor, too. Wouldn't want anyone to make an association with Jeremiah Wright, would we?"

Well,they do say politics make for strange bedfellows,GKC.I did wiki Jeremiah Wright and am not going to judge the man out of context,though given our histories of antisemitism it pays to be vigilant.I guess below the surface antisemitism is alive and well.
But the metaphors are telling,and not necessarily race based.They serve their purpose very well and like most things can be misused and abused.muchiboy

MixMChess

I wouldn't expect anything less from a Racist Rhodesian!

Omar

Arabs are Semitic people too, you should know that already, before posting your comments. You should use anti-Jewish or anti-Judaism, instead of anti-Semitic. Don't play the victim anymore, lies can't go on forever. Allah's will can make his people fight against tyrants, no matter what. And when you think of Islam, don't think about the Arabs only, we're around the world, Arabs and non-Arabs. Inshallah

P.S. When the holocaust happened, it was not only against Jews, it was against non-Jews too, they were thousands too, remember this before you start to play the victim again.

MixMChess

Omar, you're an idiot.

Your argument perversely distorts the meaning of the term ant-Semitism. Yes, Arabs are Semites, but the term was coined in the late 19th century in Germany as a more scientific-sounding term for Judenhass ("Jew-hatred"), and is still used to refer specifically to hatred of Jews. Anti-Semitism means hatred of Jews in all languages. It has never been used to refer to those who are prejudiced against or hate Arabs.

P.S. It is morally despicable to claim that Jews don't recognize other victims of the Holocaust or that Jews use the Holocaust to claim status as perpetual victims. Remember this next time you open your stupid mouth.

Omar

When you use that word in the context of the Holocaust, you're clearly saying that Hitler was an anti-Semite, and therefore, the Holocaust was against Jews, and that's not the truth, and you know it, because thousands of non-Jews were killed. I've never heard a Jew speaking about the non-Jewish people who were killed. So, it doesn't matter if you say that word was created by the Jews, it is a mistake, because Jews are not the only semites. You are the perverse, try, but it won't change a thing.

MixMChess

No, Omar, your conflating two points and getting yourself confused. You clearly have no understanding of the history of antisemitism or the Holocaust.

1. The term antisemite and antisemitism has always been used to refer exclusively to Jews. Yes, Arabs are semetic people, but the term antisemitism was created to refer to hatred of Jews. The term was not created by Jews, but was created by a German, Wilhelm Marr, to scientifically reference Jew-hatred.

2. No one has ever denied that the Holocaust targeted other minorities (such as gays, gypsies etc.) in addition to the Jews. However there is no denying that the the main focus of the Nazis (and Hitlers) hatred was directed at the Jews. The Nazis first priority was to eliminate world-wide Jewry.

3. Arabs, who are a Semitic people, have never been the target of the hatred and vitriol as directed at the Jews. In fact, Hitler and the Nazis never directed any hatred at the Arabs. The Nazis formed many alliances with the Arab nations and strongmen during WWII. It is no secret that Hitler and many high-ranking Nazi Officials were good close personal friends with the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and sought to include the Arabs as allies in their quest for worldwide domination.

Try reading a book Omar before making yourself look like a complete idiot.

Omar

"Hitler and the Nazis never directed any hatred at the Arabs." Hitler and the Nazis never directed any hatred at the Jews either, Hitler and the Nazis directed their hatred against all humanity, Jews and non-Jews, so you'll never make any sense. No matter how hard you try. You are Islamophobic, that's all your problem, but I hope one day you'll see the truth. Inshallah.

MixMChess

"Hitler and the Nazis never directed any hatred at the Jews either, Hitler and the Nazis directed their hatred against all humanity, Jews and non-Jews, so you'll never make any sense."

Omar, I am not denying that Hitler and the Nazis directed their hatred against all of humanity, however the is no question that the vast majority hatred and anger was directed at Jews. The Nazis only created policies to exterminate Jews among all other peoples.

"You are Islamophobic, that's all your problem, but I hope one day you'll see the truth."

Name calling to deflect from my argument. Cute. What have I said to prove I am an Islamophob other than to prove you wrong and embarrass you?

Omar

"name calling" well, you called me an idiot, and I didn't say anything about it. You are Islamophobic. Can you deny it? Just by saying no? I repeat, for the last time, you are wrong, your views on humanity will lead you and your country to hell on earth. As I told you before, I hope that one day you'll se the truth. Inshallah.

MixMChess

"You are Islamophobic. Can you deny it? Just by saying no?"

Sure, I feel pretty comfortable stating that I am not an Islamophob. What about you? You are xenophobic, homophobic, judeophobic. Can you deny it?

You can tell me I'm wrong until you're blue in the face, but I'm the one with facts and logic on my side. Inshallah.

Omar

With Allah's help, Islam will rise against the enemies. No more US, UK and Israel. No more Zionists. Islam brothers around the world and good people in this world, Allah bless you all.

I support the only liberal democracy in the middle east which ensures religious freedom and civil rights for all its citizens. You support the destruction of western governments which guarantee civil rights. So who is really walking the wrong path hmmm?

Omar

I can't see the US government guaranteeing civil rights in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, etc. Can you show me, please, how is this being done by the US, the UK, and Zionist Israeli government? Support what you support is to walk the wrong path. Inshallah.

muchiboy

" You should use anti-Jewish or anti-Judaism, instead of anti-Semitic."

I am not an apologist for Jews.Anyone who has read my posts will know that.But in my book antisemitism is hatred of the Jew.Period.Of all people,they and they alone have earned that unfortunate distinction. If I am bullied/discriminated/etc because of my Palestinian background,I do not consider it antisemitic.Call it what you will.But you are right,we are cousins,Jew,Palestinian,Arab. muchiboy

Dan

muchiboy, I agree that Jews are focussed upon. However I think that blacks are discriminated against and feared out of pure racism and fear of how they look. The actions of Israel have made a lot of people against Israel, and they resent being called anti-semitic just because they disagree with Israel. Luckily Jews are also speaking up against Israel, so that the focus gets more accurately placed on the actions of the state of Israel, and not of the condition of being Jewish.

Darwish does not mention the model of Turkey and the Netherlands, which have Islamic academies in which scholars modernise Islam and start internal debates within that religion in order to get rid of some of the really bad practices. This would be one way for someone like El Baradei to start making reforms in a way acceptable to the ordinary people. And put the constitution legally higher than Sharia where there is conflict with human rights. It has to be marketed as the Egyptian way to the future, and not following the west, but one can find embedded in most cultures persons or events to support democratic values coming from their own roots.

Omar

One thing is the Zionist Israeli government and its supporters and a different thing are Jewish people, real Jews. Just so you know, Jews say that Zionists are not real Jews. Your conspirative theories make people cry and suffer around the world. Conspirative theories about weapons of mass destruction justified the invasion of Iraq. You're so wrong, so wrong! I hope one day you'll see the truth. Inshallah.

MixMChess

"One thing is the Zionist Israeli government and its supporters and a different thing are Jewish people, real Jews. Just so you know, Jews say that Zionists are not real Jews."

Omar, you do realize that the vast majority of Jews worldwide are Zionists and support Israel's right to exist? You also must realize that the vast majority of Zionists are not Jews, but are Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and people of all other types of faiths, race, creed and background.

"Your conspirative theories make people cry and suffer around the world. Conspirative theories about weapons of mass destruction justified the invasion of Iraq."

What conspiracy theory did I state in my above comment? Or are you just embarrassed that you don't have the intellectual rigor to post a meaningful reply to my comment?

By the way, the Israeli government advised George Bush and America to NOT invade Iraq, fearing (correctly) that it could create regional instability.

Omar

I remember Bush saying "Oh, it was a mistake, there were no weapons of mass destruction after all" and then his laughter. No, you can't change what Bush and his supporters did, and you can't find any excuse for what the US government and its allies are doing.

Shermann

Remember one thing, Zionists, in power in Israel, are not real Jews. Zionists are Nazis.

MixMChess

Shermann you are the only Nazi.

Hasan Mahmud

Excellent.

"Many in the Muslim world lack the understanding of what is hindering them as well as a lack of a moral and legal foundation for forming a stable democratic political system. "

Joseph

whoaaa, don't worry, the USA will make it possible, like they did in Iraq and Afghanistan!